In Every Lifetime

Chapter Thirty

Kongpob woke up with a splitting headache, a now common occurrence since his nightly affairs with his husband. Despite the piercing pain at the back of his brain, he grinned lopsidedly to himself as he sat in bed remembering the night he had. Telling Arthit about their past went about as well as he could expect it to go, especially this early into their relationship. And he also got to cuddle the other to sleep, so he was going to count it as a win for himself.

After speedily washing up and grabbing himself a cup of coffee, he settled himself down at his study desk, tapping the papers with his pen - a little habit he had picked up while writing.

His career path as a writer was convenient in his shift to Bangkok, although it often frustrated his editor and best friend. Like clockwork, his phone rang and Kongpob picked it up, playing with the cord as he twirled it with his fingers.

"Kongpob, for the last time please either get a mobile phone or a computer or preferably both. You are living like a caveman." Aim's annoyed voice drifted through the receiver.

"And good morning to you too." Kongpob chuckled, taking a sip out of his coffee.

"It isn't funny, Kong. Everyone at the office keeps laughing at me," Aim whined. "Who the hell still uses the fax machine? Ever heard of emails Kong? You're really torturing me here. Plus the time difference already makes things difficult enough."

"You know I like my manuscripts in hardcopy, Aim. The feeling of a pen scrawling across a sheet of paper, it hits differently you know?"

"And thank god you don't write like a doctor or I would be both frustrated, confused and possibly blind." The other replied sarcastically, clicking his tongue. "At least get a mobile phone. So I could at least text you if I have questions. It is ridiculous to keep calling and international minutes are so expensive! We're living in the year 1992 Kong, it is time to act like it."

Kongpob paused, considering his editor's words. It was true that there was indeed inconvenience in having to only work at home since the only way Aim had to contact him was through the land line to his home. Mobile phones had gotten considerably cheaper, he could get one at a decent price now and then maybe get out of the house a little more. He had always enjoyed his occasional change in environment when writing and it reflected well in his writing too.

"Alright, I'll get one soon Aim, don't get your panties in a twist." He agreed, much to the other's relief.

"Thank you for having mercy on your best friend." Aim said, rolling his eyes. He was sure Kongpob could hear it over the phone.

"How was the previous chapter I sent over anyway?"

"Oh about that, it was great. I pitched it to Yong and he really liked it. He reckons it's going to be a one of a kind novel. In fact, he wants to know when you would be able to submit the next chapter."

"I'll try to submit it by this week Aim, give me a little time." Kongpob replied as he reached out to his standing calendar, counting to the days to the end of the week. He was already halfway through the current chapter but he wanted some extra time to read through the details. This book was close to his heart, a lot more so than his other works and he really wanted to make sure he got everything perfect.

"Fine, I'll buy you your time, but no later than Saturday alright? You know how cranky he gets on Mondays when we have nothing for him."

"Gottcha. I'll fax it over once I'm done." Kongpob promised.

"Great, oh and Kong, please remember that I'm 12 hours behind. So have some decency to not send it at 3am in the morning. May is such a light sleeper and she was not pleased with the fax machine's whirring." Aim winced, remembering how he was mercilessly kicked out of the room and ended up sleeping on the couch at the break of dawn that day.